Apparatus and method for measuring biologic parameters

• US 9,119,530 B2
• Filed: 05/07/2012
• Issued: 09/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brain Tunnelgenix
• Original Assignee: Geelux Holdings, Ltd.
• Inventors: Abreu, Marcio Marc
• Primary Examiner(s): EISEMAN, ADAM JARED
• Application Number:
  US13/465,444
• Publication Number:
  US 20120316459A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,212 Days
• Field of Search: 600/549, 374/158, 374/194, 374/208
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0418 Pen-shaped housings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0271 Thermal or temperature sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0008 Temperature signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4064 Evaluating the brain A61B5/031, A61B5/369, A61B5/14553 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6803 Head-worn items, e.g. helmets, masks, headphones or goggles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6814 Head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6821 Eye
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6833 Adhesive patches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6887 mounted on external non-worn devices, e.g. non-medical devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0808 for diagnosis of the brain
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 7/02 Antithrombotic agents; Anticoagulants; Platelet aggregation inhibitors
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 9/04 Inotropic agents, i.e. stimulants of cardiac contraction; Drugs for heart failure
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 13/20 Clinical contact thermometers for use with humans or animals
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 90/10 Information and communication technologies [ICT] supporting adaptation to climate change, e.g. for weather forecasting or climate simulation

Abstract

Support structures for positioning sensors on a physiologic tunnel for measuring physical, chemical and biological parameters of the body and to produce an action according to the measured value of the parameters. The support structure includes a sensor fitted on the support structures using a special geometry for acquiring continuous and undisturbed data on the physiology of the body. Signals are transmitted to a remote station by wireless transmission such as by electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared, sound and the like or by being reported locally by audio or visual transmission. The physical and chemical parameters include brain function, metabolic function, hydrodynamic function, hydration status, levels of chemical compounds in the blood, and the like. The support structure includes patches, clips, eyeglasses, head mounted gear and the like, containing passive or active sensors positioned at the end of the tunnel with sensing systems positioned on and accessing a physiologic tunnel.

Claims

1. A thermal sensing support structure comprising:

a body for placement on a skin surface, said body including an adhesive layer for securing the body on the skin surface, said body being connected to an arm movable towards a brain tunnel area and a measuring portion located at a free end of the arm and configured to be placed at the brain tunnel area and biased against the brain tunnel area by the arm, said measuring portion having a thermally insulating surface,

said thermally insulating surface having at least one thermal sensor or at least one thermal sensor assembly, said thermally insulating surface being exposed to directly contact the skin surface and the at least one thermal sensor or the at least one thermal sensor assembly receiving thermal energy from said skin surface, the movable arm being configured to ensure the direct biased contact of the thermally insulating surface with the skin surface at the brain tunnel area,

the measuring portion being free of adhesive, and

said at least one thermal sensor or said at least one thermal sensor assembly being only partially surrounded by said thermally insulating surface so that said at least one thermal sensor or said at least one thermal sensor assembly is located exposed from said thermally insulating surface, the thermally insulating surface being in direct contact with the skin surface at the brain tunnel area,

an external surface of the thermally insulating material being flush with a surface of the at least one thermal sensor or the at least one thermal sensor assembly.

2. The support structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sensor is a wireless thermal sensor.

3. The support structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sensor is a wired thermal sensor.

4. The support structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein said thermally insulating surface is provided by one or more insulating materials that are selected from the group containing polyurethane, polypropylene, polymer, rubber and foam.

5. The support structure as claimed in claim 4, wherein said thermally insulating surface is provided by a cylinder of insulating material.

6. The support structure as claimed in claim 5, wherein said at least one thermal sensor is located at one end of the cylinder and a wire runs along a center of said cylinder, said wire terminating at the at least one thermal sensor.

7. A thermal sensing support structure comprising:

a body for placement on a skin surface, said body including an adhesive layer for securing the body on the skin surface, said body being connected to an arm movable towards a brain tunnel area and a measuring portion located at a free end of the arm and configured to be placed at the brain tunnel area and biased against the brain tunnel area by the arm,

said measuring portion having compressible insulating material providing a thermally insulating surface free of adhesive and said measuring portion having at least one thermal sensor or at least one thermal sensor assembly, and

the thermally insulating surface being configured to directly contact the skin surface and receive thermal energy from said skin surface, the arm being configured to ensure the direct biased contact of the thermally insulating surface with the skin surface at the brain tunnel area, said at least one thermal sensor or said at least one thermal sensor assembly being only partially surrounded by said thermally insulating surface so that said at least one thermal sensor or said at least one thermal sensor assembly is located exposed from said thermally insulating surface, the thermally insulating surface being in direct contact with the skin surface at the brain tunnel area,

an external surface of the insulating material being flush with a surface of the at least one thermal sensor or the at least one thermal sensor assembly.